President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to support the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), an initiative spearheaded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of collective action to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the nation.
Addressing the audience at the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, held on June 26, 2024, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to the NDLEA’s efforts.
“I enjoin all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse initiative, otherwise known as the WADA campaign, launched by NDLEA three years ago. I commend and urge everyone to redouble their efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country,” Tinubu stated. “On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the centre of its focus. Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential.”
President Tinubu highlighted the devastating impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families, communities, and nations globally. He emphasized that prevention is the most effective strategy in addressing this challenge.
“In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon that we can deploy. Prevention not only saves lives; it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation. It empowers individuals to make informed choices, promotes healthy lifestyles, and creates resilient communities capable of withstanding the pressures of drug abuse,” he noted.
President Tinubu underscored the importance of investing in prevention as a means of safeguarding the nation’s future. He advocated for the allocation of resources towards evidence-based prevention programs to break the cycle of drug abuse and protect the youth from its detrimental effects.
“Investing in prevention is not merely a moral imperative but a prudent way of safeguarding our future. By allocating resources towards evidence-based prevention programmes, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse and protect our youth from falling prey to the menace,” he explained. “The assignment before us as a country requires that we prioritise evidence-based prevention strategies, allocate adequate resources, and foster partnerships for greater impact.”
President Tinubu assured that his administration would continue to support the NDLEA in building on its past successes. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with relevant stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes in the fight against drug abuse.
“This government will support NDLEA to build on the success recorded in the past few years. We shall work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have positive statistics from the next national drug use survey that will be conducted in the country,” he affirmed.
